GOV ENO UNVEILS ARISE 2.0, NAMES UYO CITY CENTRE SIGNATURE PROJECT – MEDIA TODAY

GOV ENO UNVEILS ARISE 2.0, NAMES UYO CITY CENTRE SIGNATURE PROJECT – MEDIA TODAY

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GOV ENO UNVEILS ARISE 2.0, NAMES UYO CITY CENTRE SIGNATURE PROJECT

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has unveiled the ARISE Agenda 2.0, outlining his administration’s development priorities for 2027–2031, with a proposed Uyo City Centre Project named as its signature infrastructure initiative.

The Governor unveiled the new manifesto today at the Banquet Hall of ARISE Palm Resort, Uyo, during the inauguration of the State Campaign Council and presentation of his governorship manifesto ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Anchored on the five pillars of the ARISE Agenda, the manifesto builds on what the administration describes as significant achievements recorded under ARISE 1.0, while setting new targets in agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security, education and socio-economic advancement.

Under the Agricultural Revolution and Food Security pillar, Governor Eno pledged to consolidate existing interventions, including the Ibom Model Farm, Back-to-Farm Initiative, ARISE Home Farms Scheme and Equipment Leasing Facility.

The second phase will prioritise large-scale and mechanised farming, expansion of oil-palm and other tree-crop plantations, agro-processing, improved access to agricultural financing and technology, as well as stronger farmer cooperatives.

The administration also plans to complete and operationalise the pilot Ibom Model Farm and replicate the facility in the other two senatorial districts to strengthen food production and commercial agriculture.

Presenting the scorecard of ARISE 1.0, the Governor’s manifesto indicated that five of six key agricultural objectives had been substantially achieved. Among the achievements highlighted were the distribution of 620,000 oil-palm seedlings across the 31 local government areas, establishment of the Ibom Equipment Leasing Facility and disbursement of agricultural grants to support farmers.

On Rural Development and Community Prosperity, the administration highlighted its ARISE Compassionate Homes Programme, under which about 500 fully furnished two-bedroom homes have been delivered to vulnerable citizens, alongside rural road construction, bridges, solar-powered water facilities and empowerment interventions across the state.

For ARISE 2.0, Governor Eno pledged to increase the number of compassionate homes to 1,000 across the state’s wards and construct 310 kilometres of rural roads, targeting 10 kilometres in each of the 31 local government areas.

The manifesto also promises expanded access to potable water, electricity, healthcare, quality education and other essential social amenities, while strengthening ward-level cooperatives and rural enterprises.

Under the Infrastructural Renaissance pillar, the administration presented a scorecard of 1,515 kilometres of road projects constructed across the state, including inherited projects funded by the present administration, at a reported cost of N934.33 billion, excluding RAAMP projects.

It also reported the construction of 43 bridges and the installation of 6,386 out of 6,441 approved solar-powered streetlights, representing 95 per cent completion. According to the manifesto, the transition from diesel-powered to solar-powered streetlights has reduced monthly diesel consumption by 78.7 per cent.

Other achievements highlighted include the completion of the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, introduction of the CNG Mass Transit Scheme and commencement of the Oron Maritime Infrastructure Development Project.

For the next phase, the Governor proposed an additional 310 kilometres of rural roads in the 2027 budget, alongside wider road and bridge expansion, improved infrastructure maintenance, digital connectivity and urban renewal.

A major highlight of the infrastructure vision is the proposed Uyo City Centre Project, which the Governor presented as a flagship initiative to transform the state capital into a modern commercial, tourism and transportation destination.

The project, situated around the strategic intersection of Wellington Bassey Way, Oron Road, Aka Road and Ikot Ekpene Road, is designed to integrate a two-level roundabout system, an elevated flyover, a CNG bus terminal and dedicated taxi and minibus bays.

It will also feature Ibom Plaza, anchored by a proposed City Tower and Ibom Mall, with commercial, recreational and public spaces intended to attract private investment, stimulate business activities and create employment.

The proposed City Tower, inspired by the Akwa Ibom State Coat of Arms, is expected to incorporate architectural features representing the state’s oil and gas heritage, cultural identity and coastal resources.

In the area of Security and Good Governance, the ARISE 1.0 scorecard highlighted the establishment of a standalone Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, Security Command and Control Centre, Ibom Community Watch and Security Trust Fund, as well as strategic security installations and facilities across the state.

Other interventions include the deployment of patrol vehicles and 14 gunboats for waterways security, alongside the integration of 2,272 village youth presidents into the state’s security architecture.

Building on these measures, ARISE 2.0 proposes statewide surveillance through security cameras, scanners and other technology-driven systems across the 31 local government areas. It also promises stronger intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and rapid-response capabilities.

On Education and Socio-Economic Advancement, the administration reported the construction and establishment of 35 Model Primary Schools, exceeding the original ARISE 1.0 target of 10, alongside the sustenance of free and compulsory education.

The manifesto further highlighted the payment of N778.9 million for examination-related costs covering 48,797 candidates, as well as N1.69 billion in student bursaries to 25,527 beneficiaries, among other educational interventions.

In youth development, the administration cited the monthly N50,000 support programme, which has benefited more than 29,618 young people since its commencement in October 2024, and the establishment of 31 Youth Development Centres.

It also highlighted the training of over 1,800 youths through Ibom-LED, with grants of N750,000 upon completion, and 2,661 beneficiaries trained under DASAC, each receiving a N1 million grant.

The manifesto also referenced 8,854 public-sector jobs and other employment opportunities created across education, the civil service, healthcare and technical and vocational sectors.

Under ARISE 2.0, the administration intends to deepen investments in technical, vocational and digital skills, strengthen education-to-employment pathways, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and develop Destination Akwa Ibom as a tourism and hospitality destination.

The healthcare sector also featured prominently in the administration’s performance assessment, with the manifesto highlighting the construction of 31 Primary Healthcare Centres, completion and commissioning of the General Hospital, Ukanafun, and ongoing construction of the General Hospital, Ibiono Ibom.

Other achievements include the establishment of three medical oxygen production plants with a combined capacity of 240 cylinders daily, employment of 2,854 healthcare workers, and expansion of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme to 248,000 beneficiaries across more than 400 accredited healthcare facilities.

The establishment of the Ibom Medical Village and development of Ibom Medical City, anchored by a planned 350-bed Ibom International Hospital, were also highlighted.

For ARISE 2.0, the Governor expressed the ambition to reposition Akwa Ibom as a regional healthcare hub through expanded specialist services, improved healthcare financing, technology-driven service delivery and sustained investment in medical infrastructure.

Tourism development was another major component of the scorecard, with the administration citing the development of ARISE Palm Resort, the 5,000-capacity Ibom International Convention Centre and the 220-room Ibom International Hotel.

The rehabilitation and repositioning of Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, internationalisation of Victor Attah International Airport in 2025 and commencement of Ibom Air’s international expansion, including scheduled Uyo-Accra services in 2026, were also listed.

The administration said ARISE 2.0 would shift emphasis from establishing tourism assets to developing a commercially sustainable tourism ecosystem through destination branding, coordinated marketing and increased private-sector participation.

Also speaking at the event, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, expressed confidence in Governor Eno’s leadership and the development direction of the state, urging the people to support his re-election.

“Today, Pastor Umo Eno has assured us that not only is the future of Akwa Ibom State secure, but the future of our children is also guaranteed.

“If Akwa Ibom does not vote for Umo Eno, then who?”

Also speaking, Director-General of the Campaigns, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, urged the people of Akwa Ibom to support Governor Eno for a second term, expressing confidence in the administration’s performance and its proposed development direction.

With ARISE 2.0, Governor Eno is seeking to build on the foundations of his first term through expanded infrastructure, agricultural productivity, improved security, human-capital development and economic diversification, while positioning the proposed Uyo City Centre as a defining symbol of the next phase of his administration’s development vision.